Laser Therapy at Issaquah Family Chiropractic: A Safe and Powerful Tool for Healing

By Dr. Huxley Cross, DC – HealthyIssaquah.com

When I talk to patients about healing from pain or injury, I always remind them that the body is remarkably capable of healing itself—sometimes it just needs a little help. One of the most exciting tools we now offer at Issaquah Family Chiropractic is Class 4 Cold Laser Therapy, a safe, gentle, and highly effective treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.

Let’s take a closer look at what this therapy does, who it’s for, and how it can support your body’s natural healing processes.

What Is Class 4 Cold Laser Therapy?

Despite the name, Cold Laser Therapy doesn’t involve cold temperatures—instead, it refers to the use of low-level laser light that does not produce heat or damage tissue like surgical lasers. Class 4 lasers use infrared light to penetrate the body and stimulate healing at the cellular level.

How? It’s all about the mitochondria—the powerhouse of the cell. When laser light reaches your tissues, it stimulates your mitochondria to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy source your body uses for almost every biological function. This boost in energy production helps your body reduce inflammation, repair damaged tissues, and recover more quickly from injuries.

Conditions That Benefit from Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a versatile and non-invasive option for many conditions. I regularly recommend it to patients experiencing:

  • Acute sprains and strains

  • Whiplash

  • Muscle and joint pain

  • Nerve pain

  • Arthritis

  • Plantar fasciitis

If you’re struggling with pain that won’t go away, laser therapy might be the missing link in your recovery plan.

Why Choose Laser?

Patients often ask, “Is this going to hurt?” The great news is: Laser therapy is completely painless. You may feel a slight warming sensation, but most people find the experience relaxing.

Here are a few reasons I like using Class 4 Cold Laser in our clinic:

  • Safe and non-invasive

  • No side effects or downtime

  • Accelerates healing

  • Reduces inflammation

  • Improves circulation

  • Relieves pain naturally

It’s not a magic bullet—but it is a powerful tool that can significantly support and speed up your recovery.

The Science Behind the Benefits

Let’s get nerdy for a second. The laser emits photons that are absorbed by the mitochondria in your cells. This stimulates the production of ATP, which fuels tissue repair and regeneration. This process—called photobiomodulation—has been studied extensively in medical literature.

Here are some highlights from current research:

  • A 2018 randomized clinical trial found that laser therapy significantly improved pain and function in patients with plantar fasciitis after just three weeks of treatment (Ordahan et al., 2018).

  • A systematic review in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation concluded that laser is an excellent resource for treating skeletal muscle injuries in the short term (Alves et al., 2014).

  • A 2018 review showed that low-level laser therapy helps manage chronic pain and osteoarthritis and is a promising alternative to medication (Dima et al., 2018).

  • Another study found that patients with hand osteoarthritis experienced less pain, reduced swelling, and improved mobility after 5–10 sessions of laser therapy (Baltzer et al., 2016).

  • And in 2012, a clinical trial demonstrated that laser therapy improved pain and mobility in patients with acute low back pain and radiculopathy, with higher energy doses offering greater benefits (Jovicić et al., 2012).

The bottom line? The science backs it up—laser therapy works.

What to Expect During a Session

Treatment times vary depending on the area and depth of tissue being treated. For example, a finger or ankle might take just a few minutes, while a lower back may require a bit longer. We follow preset safety protocols to make sure you receive the correct dose with each visit.

Most patients begin to feel the difference after just a few sessions, although results vary depending on the condition and severity.

Is It Right for You?

If you’re dealing with nagging pain, a recent injury, or chronic inflammation, Class 4 Cold Laser Therapy could be a great addition to your care plan. It’s not meant to replace chiropractic care, nutrition, or other holistic strategies—but it works beautifully alongside them to enhance your healing potential.

As someone who’s passionate about spinal health, nervous system function, and whole-body wellness, I’m excited to offer therapies that are not only evidence-based but also gentle, safe, and effective.

If you’d like to learn more or book your first session, I’d love to meet you and see how laser therapy can help you feel better, move better, and heal naturally.

In health,
Dr. Huxley Cross, DC
Issaquah Family Chiropractic
Chiropractor | Nutrition Coach | Disney Dad

Dr. Huxley Cross

Dr. Huxley Cross graduated from University of Western States in Portland Oregon with his Doctorate of Chiropractic. 

Dr. Cross focuses on spinal health and restoring function to the nervous system, segment by segment. He uses a variety of techniques including diversified adjusting, activator, instrument assisted adjusting, as well as the soft tissue techniques of flexion-distraction therapy, cupping, and fascial scraping. Dr. Cross also graduated from Bastyr University with his Bachelors in Nutrition Sciences and enjoys coaching and counseling patients with their nutritional journeys. Compassion and empathy drive him in his practice and his patient care is always focused on the whole patient and their well-being. 

After school Dr. Cross moved back to the puget sound area where he grew up and has spent most of his life living in the Tacoma/Puyallup area. In his personal time Dr. Cross enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter who are all big Disney fans. 

Adam Babcox